The History of the Three Late Famous Imposters, viz. Padre Ottomano, Mahomed Bei, and Sabatai Sevi, by John Evelyn. London: Henry Herringman, 1669. English.

Rare, early documentation of the events surrounding the false messiah Shabtai Tzvi, published only three years after his conversion to Islam and about seven years before his death. The central part of the work (pp. 41-126 – over two thirds of the book) is dedicated to Shabtai Tzvi and his movement: the spread of the news of the coming of the messiah that led to messianic fervor in Jewish communities throughout the Ottoman Empire and Europe, his apostasy to Islam and the profound crisis undergone by his believers. The first part of the book details two other impostors claiming to belong to the Sultan's family.

The author relies on detailed reports sent by English merchants and envoys in Constantinople, and gives a minute description of the rise and fall of the Sabbatean movement. This work is considered a primary source of the highest importance for the history of Sabbateanism, and the first English book to detail the events.

The author, John Evelyn (1620-1706) was an English industrialist, botanist and scholar, whose diaries and books detail the important events of his times.

[8] leaves, 126 pages. 15.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains (dark stains to title page). Close trimming, bordering text and affecting headers of some leaves. Signature on title page. Bookplate. Binding with leather corners and spine, somewhat worn; front binding detached.

Rare. Not in NLI library. Few copies in OCLC.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.